Gayle's Preschool Rainbow is
very grateful to Pam S. of Pam's Playground for generously sharing her
collection of Community Helper Activities. Pam is a childcare provider
and has collected these activities from a wide variety of sources for over
4 years. She has her own web site:

Pam's Playground
http://www.pamsplayground.com"Where the children
learn while they play and have fun."

Click
the Rainbow for The Rainbow Resource RoomClick the Schoolhouse
for Activity Central

There are 4 black & white
printable coloring pages associated with this theme.Use your BACK button to
return to this page.

Description: Have the
children take a bite out of their graham cracker at the top.
Take vanilla frosting and mix it with red food coloring, to make
red. Have the children spread the frosting all over the cracker.
Take 1 oreo cookie and open up and have children place it at the
bottom to resemble wheels. You have your very own fire engine. Eat
and enjoy!Lots more firefighting
activities later in this theme.

Everyone's contribution
to the community counts in the picture book;Friends
at Work and Play by Rochelle Bunnett

Description:
Talk to children about what an aerobics instructor does and then pretend
to be one. Hold up flash cards and read aloud such as"jump!" Kids will
follow me and do motions along to music.

Cafe
and BakeryNicole helps children learn about the
people in their neighborhood with this activity.Materials:Dramatic Play area, wooden spoons, mixing bowls,
muffin tins and bread pans.

Description: The children enjoyed creating
what they thought would beserved in
a cafe or bakery. They enjoyed having someone to cook for,or have
tea parties. They learned to set the table. This was fun to see,
because they had to learn to share.

Dramatic
Play: Check Out CountingMichele suggests this dramatic play
activity about counting a number of objects.

Materials: Up to 5 or more objects

Description: We play store and children count
the items and tell mehow many
they have to check out. We also use money or coupons.

Money
and CountingMichele combines money with the above
dramatic play activity.

Materials: Change

Description: We play store and things usually
cost .01 .05 .10 .25. This activity teaches children how much each coin
is worth.

Comments: I was surprised how fast my daughter
caught on . I thought it would take much longer.

Prop Box for Dramatic Play:Veterinarian
or Pet Shop / Groomer

Leslie offers this idea saying, "Put
out this box and let the kiddos pretend they are taking care of their
"animals".

Petting ZooNicole says, " This activity was developed
to help the children in my room to learn to be more gentle."

Materials: Sensory
table, small stuffed animals, and cotton balls.

Description:I placed small stuffed animals and cotton balls
in the sensory table to create the "Petting Zoo". The kids had a
great time making different sections for the animals. They really
learned to be gentle with animals and their friends.

Procedure:1. Wash a 16 ounce soft drink bottle, and remove
the label. Place a 1/2 inch of pebbles in
the bottom of the bottle.

2. Cut a leg from an old pair of panty hose
and place a 2 1/2 inch plastic foam ball
in the toe. Wrap and tie a piece of thread tightly to hold the ball
in place.

3. Placing the ball on top of the bottle for
the head, pull the remaining hose over the bottle tightly,
and tie it with thread at the bottom of the bottle.

4. Cut large feet from poster board, and glue
them to the bottom of the bottle. Decorate with pieces
of felt according to occupation.

A
Community Helpers Song(tune: "The Farmer
In The Dell)The firemen are brave.The firemen are brave. Heigh-ho what do you know, The firefighters are brave. Other possible versus; Barbers cut our hair.Doctors keep us well. Dentists check our teeth. Bakers bake our bread. Policeman stop the traffic.

Dramatic
Play: Radio StationYoung children learn about music, dance and
broadcasting during this activity shared by Nicole.

Materials: Music/Movement area, radio, instruments,
and microphone.

Description:I had the children help me set up the music
room according to how they thought a radio station would look like. They
created from the bench,a place to play the music and make announcements.
We also took a field trip to a radio station. They enjoyed this.
We took the field trip after they set up their own radio station.

Gayle's Hint:
After returning from the field trip the children may want to add and /
or change items in their radio station.

Field
Trip: Elderly High RiseCheryll B. involves preschoolers with
their community during this terrific cross-generational early childhood
project.

Materials:Hand made cards and props for singing or putting
on a simple play like "The Three Billy Goats Gruff".

Description: Several times a year I take our
children to a high rise apartment for low income elderly people. In the
Spring we make enough paper eggs that the children have decorated so that
every occupant has one to hang on their door. We let the children go quietly
to each room and hang the decoration on each door.

When we are through we gather in the community
room and sing a couple of songs or do a quick play. The visit only takes
about 45 minutes and is much appreciated by the tenants. We spend about
a week in art making the eggs.

Comments: This is a great way to involve your
program with the community. We go 3 or 4 times a year

Extensions:Try one of these ways
to spread love in your community.. * Bake cookies
for a neighbor and deliver them with a smile. * Make your bed--without
anyone asking you to. * Help a friend
who is hurt or sad. * Send a homemade
card to a faraway friend or family member. * Say "please"
and "thank you." * Invite a new
friend over to play. * Collect some
of your old toys and give them to a children's shelter.

A
Finger Play: "If I Were"If I were a baker(pretend
to put on a hat and apron) What would I do? Bake lots of cookies(make
a circle with thumb and forefinger) For me and you.(point
to self and a friend)

If I were a secretary,(pretend
to type and write on a notepad) What would I do? Answer the phone,(hold
pretend phone to ear) "How do you do?"

If I were a veterinarian,(pretend
to put a stethoscope in ears) What would I do? Care for your pet(pretend
to examine a cat or dog) It's special to you.

If I were a dentist,(look
in mouth of friend) What would I do? Check those teeth(pretend
to drill or x-ray friend's teeth) That's good for you!

If I were a hair
dresser(pretend
to comb a friend's hair) What would I do? Wash and trim your
hair(pretend
to wash & cut a friend's hair) "Oh, pretty!" for
you!

A
Construction SiteNicole encourages
youngsters to learn what it is like to build houses and buildings with
this activity.

Materials:Block area, hard hats,
trucks, and different types of blocks.

Description:I turned the block area
into a construction site, where the children could create buildings and
towers of their choice. They enjoyed wearing the hard hats and creating
houses that they wanted to live in.

Description:Precut circular and rectangular shapes from
construction paper. Have the children glue the precut shapes on to a piece
of construction paper to resemble a fire truck. They may add yarn or string
for the fire hose and use straws to make a ladder.

Art
Activity: Fire Painting You will need:Construction or white paper, red, orange and
black paint, plastic wrap,black cut out of house etc.

Description:Using colors associated with fire (red, orange)
squirt or draw thick lines on the paper and add a few drops of black
paint here and there.Press clear plastic wrap onto the paper and
squeegee the paint around.Pull plastic off of the paper using a strong
vertical pulling action. (This will cause the paint to look like fire.)

When paint is dry have the children glue a
black cutout of a house(windows cut out) and/or a black cutout of
a fire truck.

Firefighter
Song Sung to 'I'm A Little
Teapot'I'm a firefighter, my name is John I put my boots and helmet on I hurry to the fire and give a shout. With a burst of water, The fire is out.

Dramatic
Play: Firehouse Invite the children to set up a firehouse. Allow
the riding toys to be the fire engines, ambulances and the fire chiefs car.
Set up a sleeping area, boots with pants can be set up next to the bed.
Give the children a bell to sound the alarm.

Extensions:
During a large group time practice fire safety: "Stop,
Drop, Roll". Have youngsters Stop what
they are doing, Drop to the floor and Rollon
the floor to put out the fire on their "burning" clothing.

Make an appointment at the local firehouse
and take your preschool classon a neighborhood trip to the fire station.
Children will have the opportunity to see firefighters in all their
gear. Meeting firefighters face to face will help children understand
who firefighters are and that their job is to protect people. Then make
time during classroom activities to go over fire safety procedures and
carry out practice fire drills.

Finger
Play: The Firefighter This firefighter rings the bell. (thumb) This firefighter hold the hose so well. (index) This firefighter slides down the pole. (middle)This firefighter chops a hole. (ring) This firefighter climbs higher and higher.
(pinky) And all the firefighters put out the fire!

Action
Poem: Five Little Firefighters

Five little firefighters (show five
fingers) Sleeping in a row. (rest cheeks
on hands & close eyes) Ring goes the bell- Down the pole they go. (Pretend to
slide down pole) They jump on the engine (Jump Up) And put out the fire. (Pretend to
squirt with a hose) Now they're back home- My, but they're tired. (Stretch and
yawn.)

Song:
I'm a Big Red Fire Truck

(tune: "I'm a Little Teapot") I'm a big red fire truck long and
stout, When I am needed, I roar and shout. People love to see me rush about, Just turn me on and head me out.

I'm a big red fire truck stout
and long, Here's is my ladder, tall and strong. When I get a call, you'll hear
my song, Just climb aboard and turn me on.

To
The Hospital (tune: "Are
You Sleeping")To the hospital, to the hospital, We will go. We will go. We will see the doctors, We will see the nurses, Dressed in white, dressed in white.

I'm a
Happy Doctor(tune:
"My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean) I'm
happy that I am a doctor I
can help to make people feel well I'm
happy that I am a doctor It
makes me feel just swell I'm
a doctor, a doctor I
help to make people feel well well well I'm
a doctor, a doctor I
can help to make people feel well!

The
Doctor's Song(tune: "Row, Row,
Row Your Boat") I use a stethoscope To listen to your heart. To help you be a healthy child And heal you when you're aren't.

The police officer walks around the circle
and chooses one child he thinks fits the description and brings
the lost child back to the mother. That child is the next police officer
and the game continues.

Dramatic
Play: Observe and Collect Fingerprints!

Method One:Rub a pencil point several times on paper.
Rub the child's finger in the graphite and stick a piece of transparent
tape over it. Then stick the tape onto paper. After doing several of one
child's fingers, observe that each print is the same. But everyone's prints
are different.

Method Two:Have child touch a metal box. Pour a line of
powder at the edge of the box and "blow" gently. With a soft brush, very
lightly brush over the box. Fingerprints will appear. Allow children to
use magnifying glasses to observe their fingerprints.

Action
Poem: Police Officers Police officers are helpers wherever
they may stand. (Stand with feet apart,
hands on hips.) They tell us when to stop and go by holding
up their hands. (Signal stop by holding
up hand and go by pointing index finger.)

Finger
Play: Police OfficersFive police officers standing by a door------- One became a traffic cop; then there were four. Four police officers watching over me---- One took home a lost boy, and then there were
three. Three police officers dressed all in blue---- One stopped a speeding car, and then there
were two. Two police officers, how fast they run! One caught a bad man, and then there was one. One police officer saw smoke faraway. He called the firehouse, and the firemen (fire
persons) saved the day.

Poem:
Letter CarrierLetter carriers haul a very full pack Of letters and packages upon their back. Step, step, Now ring, ring, ring! Oh what surprises they will bring.

Poem:
Mailman?We watch for the mail truck to come down the
street,Then we run to the mailbox, eager to greet,Our special mail person.And as you can see,The one who brings our mail,Is a mail lady?

Dramatic
Play: The Post OfficeA small unit on the Post Office.

1. We make mail carrier pouched out
of construction paper, string and a stapler to staple the
mail pouches together.

2. Read the book I
Want to be a Postman by Carla Green

3. Listen to the book and tape: A
Letter to Amy by Ezra Keats

4. Sent up a postal office in the house
corner. Props including paper envelopes, stampers, junk
mail, mail boxes etc.

5. For a center activity I glue pictures
of houses to poster board. Write a number onto
each house. Address envelopes to the house by writing a number
onto it. Have the children "deliver" the mail.

6. We display as many stamps as we can
and have collected. Provide magnifying glasses
and stamp collecting books for the children to view.

7. Read the book The
Merry Mailman by Marcia Martin

Dramatic
Play Prop: "Post Office Ink"After taking a field trip to the post office
use this recipe to createa pretend ink that can be used with a stamper
in the Post Office dramaticplay center.

1 tsp. food coloring 3 TBS. liquid starch 1 TBS. water

Mix the ingredients to use as ink for
rubber stamps.

Art
Activity: Our HousesCut out house shapes from tag board in different
shapes. Each childchooses the house shape that they want.
They decorate the house any waythat they want. Use water colors, tempera
paint, markers, stickers andsmall pieces of material (for the curtains).

Put the child's name on the back of the house
until they learn theiraddresses and then print it on the front of
the house. Make mailboxesand put their names on them.

Extension:
Take a large piece of butchers paper and draw roads, airports, lakes,
rivers, etc. on it. The kids help color the trees and grass, etc.
When they learn their address they pick a location to put their houses
on. Display the "Village" on the wall at the children's eye level.

The
Mail Carrier's Song

Write, write, write your cards, And lots of letters, too. I will bring them to your friends, And they will write back soon.

Community
Helper Riddles I
like books. I help people find
the books they want. I check
out their books at my desk. Who
am I?

I use a hammer and a saw. I build large and small houses. Who am I?

I take your food order when you come to my
restaurant. I bring your food after it is cooked. Sometimes you leave me a tip. Who am I?

I watch people swim. Sometimes I walk around the swimming pool. If someone is struggling in the water, I dive
in to try and save them. Who am I?

I try to help people stay healthy. You come to see me for check ups. You come to see me when you aren't feeling
well.Who am I?

I help you take care of your teeth? I check
your teeth and congratulate you for brushing them. Who Am I?

This
Person Is..(See if the children can tell you about these people—you can add more!) This person drives a taxi. This person leads a band. This person guides the traffic by holding up
a hand. This person brings the letters. This person rakes and hoes. This person is a funny clown This person dances on tiptoes